The Chiefs need a big game from Travis Kelce tonight against the Falcons in Atlanta.
Kelce has been healthy and been on the field a ton in the first two games, playing 90 percent of the Chiefs’ offensive snaps (107 out of 119). But the star tight end hasn’t been able to deliver his usual receiving production. He recorded just five touches for 40 all-purpose yards and no touchdowns.
In the Chiefs’ win last week over the Bengals, Kelce had only one catch for 5 yards, snapping his streak of 114 games of recording at least three receptions, the longest such streak by any player in NFL history.
“I could have played better, man,” Kelce said on last week’s episode of “New Heights,” the podcast he hosts with his brother, Jason. “I could’ve played better, could’ve ran better routes, could’ve gotten out my breaks a little bit faster knowing (Bengals defensive end Trey) Hendrickson was on one. You see things better after the game and realize how you could play better and be better for your teammates. I think I can improve a lot for my guys.”
In his last 10 regular-season games, Kelce has just 43 receptions for 440 yards and one touchdown. Of course, Kelce elevated his play in the Chiefs’ four-game postseason run — making 32 receptions for 355 yards and three touchdowns — to help the team become back-to-back champions.
